Receptacle

ABSTRACT

A receptacle comprising a box-like structure having a bottom portion and a circumferential sidewall extending upwardly therefrom; an opening is provided in the sidewall adapted to be normally closed by a door member and which is attached to the sidewall by means of hinges having portions thereof embedded in the sidewall. The top is provided with a cover member hinged to the upper portion of the sidewall and sections of the hinges are likewise embedded in the sidewall; the cover has a circumferential flange which overlies the upper edges of the sidewall and of the door when the door and the cover are in a closed position to seal the receptacle to protect the contents of the receptacle. The door member and the cover member of the receptacle are made of a lightweight material dissimilar from the relatively heavier material of which the body of the receptace is made.

United States Patent 1 1 8 Saultz et al. [451 May 2, 1972 [54] RECEPTACLE 1,511,613 10/1924 Joem ..232/43.1 [72] Inventors: Robert H. Saul, Pompano Beach; Julius 3,226,015 12/1965 Manfredoma ..232/43.2

Oakland Park, both of FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 Assigneel Atlantic Coast Precast, B 518,158 6/1954 Canada ..232/43.1

derdale, Fla.

- Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay 22 F 1 1 1 ed July 1970 Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Aschenbrenner [21] Appl. No.: 56,472 Attorney-Settle and Oltman 57 AB TRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..232/43.1, 16/191 1 s [51] Int. Cl ..Bd 91/00 A receptacle omprising a x-lik r t r having a om [58] Field of Search ..232/43.1,43.2;312/211,229, p n and a ir mf r n i l i ewall exten ng pw rdly 312/290; 16/191; /269 therefrom; an opening is provided in the sidewall adapted to be normally closed by a door member and which is attached to [56] References Ci the sidewall by means of hinges having portions thereof embedded in the sidewall. The top is provided with a cover UNITED STATES PATENTS member hinged to the upper portion of the sidewall and sections of the hinges are likewise embedded in the sidewall; the z et cover has a circumferential flange which overlies the upper 3378323 4 96 edges of the sidewall and of the door when the door and the 5 l1 8 Go berg "312/290 cover are in a closed position to seal the receptacle to protect 2,3 Woodman X the contents of the receptacle. The door member and the 91 L137 2/1909 Lange 191 cover member of the receptacle are made of a lightweight 7561536 4/1904 clemens' "16/191 material dissimilar from the relatively heavier material of 3,314.632 4/1967 Freuler 232/432 X which the body ofthe receptace is made. 1,465,055 8/l923 Persson ..232/43.l 1,658,880 2/1928 Brunetti ..232/43.1 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,778

2 Sheets-Sheet l 68 16 INVENTORS ROBERT H. SAULTZ JULIUS A. CRANE SETTLE 8. OLTMAN AT TORNEYS Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,778

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ROBERT H. SAULTZ JULIUS A. CRANE SETTLE 8. OLTMAN ATTORNEYS RECEPTACLE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to receptacles, and more in particular, to a ground supported receptacle for refuse containers or the like, primarily for use outdoors.

Refuse containers such as garbage cans or trash cans are usually disposed outside of a building for the receipt of waste material. If the containers are not properly protected against atmospheric influences they are apt to corrode relatively fast and need to be frequently replaced. In addition, garbage cans, which contain edible and odorous refuse material, attract the attention of animals such as dogs or cats and rodents such as mice and rats, which, when permitted to get into the garbage can cause a serious sanitary problem which has been well recognized in the past.

Efforts have been made in the past to protect refuse containers and the like against animals and atmospheric influences by the provision of enclosures into which the containers are placed. These known enclosures or receptacles for refuse containers are costly and difficult to manufacture and if provisions for covers or access doors are made, they are hinged to the outside of the receptacle, causing the hinges to corrode.

In almost any instance, the access doors or covers of the known protective receptacles are made of the same material as the receptacle itself, which is usually made of cast concrete for solid ground support, and to make willful displacement of the receptacles difficult. However, if the doors or covers of the protective receptacles known herebefore, are made of the same material as the receptacle itself, that is, cast concrete or the like, they are relatively heavy and, due to the porous structure of the cast material will become easily damaged if permitted to slam against the base of the receptacle and thus relatively early lose their usefulness in providing an effective enclosure.

Additionally, the known protective receptacles are not hermetically sealed so that rain would get in from above through the spaces around the cover or door, causing corrosion of the container inside the receptacle.

According to the present invention, the improved receptacle provides an opensided enclosure preferably cast from a concrete material and has a hinged cover and a hinged access door at a side thereof to close the side opening of the receptacle. Both, the cover and the side access door, are made of a lightweight material dissimilar from the concrete material of which the main portion of the receptacle is made. The lightweight material for the cover and the side access door is preferably molded fiberglass and the support sections of the hinges for both the cover and the access door, are preferably embedded in the concrete material of the receptacle so that the hinges are substantially completely protected against atmospheric or other influences.

Additionally, the cover of the present improved refuse can receptacle is provided with a downwardly disposed circumferential flange adapted to extend around the upper edges of the sides of the receptacle and of the side access door in order to prevent rain or debris from entering the receptacle from above.

The side access door of the present improved receptacle is preferably reinforced circumferentially around and adjacent the inner edge of the side access door to provide the side access door with sufficient rigidity to withstand abuse and rough treatment to which receptacles of this kind are normally subjected to.

Other novel features and advantages of the present improved receptacle will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the construction of the present improved receptacle in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the present improved receptacle showing it in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal crosa section of the present improved receptacle showing both the cover and side access door in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section through the present improved receptacle likewise showing the side access door in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section through the upper portion of the present improved receptacle illustrating the cover in open position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the present receptacle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of the side access door showing a modified reinforcing arrangement; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section through the edge portion of the modified side access door as seen in the direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continuous reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 through 5, the present improved receptacle 10 is composed of a bottom portion 12 having sidewalls 14, I6 and 18 extending therefrom upwardly and defining a side-opening 20 between the lateral outer edges of the opposite sidewalls l4 and 18.

Although the present improved receptacle 10 is illustrated and described herein as having a cubic shape, the receptacle may have any other shape such as hexagonal, cylindrical or the like, the actual cross-sectional shape being immaterial to the present improved structure of the receptacle.

The main load carrying portion of the receptacle, composed of the bottom portion 12 and sidewall portions 14, 16 and I8, is preferably made of precast concrete and the bottom portion 12 is provided with legs 22 for support of the receptacle on a ground surface.

As particularly seen in FIG. 2, the improved receptacle I0 is adapted to receive and retain a refuse can 24, or the like supported in an upright position on the bottom portion 12 and surrounded by the sidewall portions 14, 16 and 18. The refuse container 24 is placed within the improved receptacle and removed therefrom through the side-opening 20. Obviously, the improved precast receptacle 10 may be made in such proportions as to receive a plurality of refuse containers 24 instead of only one as shown for illustrating purpose.

The frontal sideopening 20 is normally adapted to be closed by a door member 26, which is preferably molded from a lightweight material, such as fiberglass or the like. The door 26, in the closed position, is adapted to span the opening 20 between the outer lateral edges of the sidewall portions 14 and 18. The lateral outer edges of the sidewalls together with the outer edge of the bottom portion 12 are provided with a continuous recess 28 adapted to receive the opposite side edges and bottom edge of the door member 26, so that the door member in a closed position will be substantially flush with the lateral outer ends of the sidewall portions 14 and 18 and bottom portion 12, as particularly seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The door 26, as particularly seen in FIGS. 2,3 and 5 is preferably reinforced by the provision of a U-bent steel rod 30 which is embedded in the material of the door and extends around 3 sides thereof adjacent the inner outer edges of the door.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, instead of the provision of a separate steel rod embedded in the material of the door 26 the reinforcement can be provided by the provision of a ridge 32, integrally molded on one surface of the door, preferably at the inner surface and extending around all sides of the door a short distance inwardly of the outer edges of the door. As seen in FIG. 6, at one side of the door, the molded ridge reinforcement 32 is cut away at two places adjacent the upper and lower end of the door to provide room for hinge sections, as will be explained hereafter.

The door 26 is hinged to the lateral outer end of the sidewall 14 by means of a pair of hinges 38 which have an inner hinge section 40, which is embedded within the concrete material of the sidewall 14, and an outer section 42 which is attached to the door inwardly thereof by means of fasteners 44 adjacent the side edge of the door which is left free of reinforcement. Preferably, a latch 46 is provided at the opposite side of the door, which is pivotal around a pivot pin 48 supported within a sleeve 50 which is embedded in the opposite sidewall 18 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, by swinging the latch 46 over the edge of the door the door 26 is retained in closed position. Obviously, this arrangement of the respective hinge and latch positions could be reversed to provide a left handed door opening.

The improved receptacle is provided with a cover or lid 52 supported on and extending across the upper ends of the sidewalls 14, 16 and 18 and of the door 26. The cover 52 is preferably likewise made from a moldable, lightweight material, such as fiberglass or the like. The cover 52 is provided with a downwardly depending circumferential flange 54 which is adapted, in the closed position of the cover 52, to extend over the upper edges of the sidewall portions l4, l6 and 18 and the upper edge of the door 26, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. By this structure of the cover a hermetic enclosure is provided, which prevents moisture or debris from entering the receptacle 10 from above when the cover 52 is in place. The cover 52 is slightly dished, as seen at 56, to thereby cause water to run off from the cover 52 and over the downwardly depending flange portion without being able to enter the receptacle.

The cover 52 is hinged to the rearwall 16 of the receptacle by means of a hinge assembly 58. The hinge assembly 58 for the cover 52 is made up of a pair of hinges 60 each having a first section 62 which is solidly embedded in the concrete material of the rearwall l6 and a second section 64 which is pivotally attached to the first section and extends outwardly from the rearwall 16. The second hinge section 64 is suitably fastened to the underside of a rim portion 66 extending angularly away from the lower end of the flange portion 54 at the rear of the cover and which terminates into a crimped-over section 68 angularly disposed relative to the rim section 66. The extended rim section 66 and the crimped-over section 68 at the rear of the cover flange 54, provide an effective protection means for the outwardly disposed hinge sections 64 to protect the hinge sections 64 against corrosion.

With reference to FIG. 4, and as illustrated therein, the crimped-over rim section 68 provides a stop means for the cover 52 when the cover is in the opened position, by abutment against the outer surface of the rearwall 16 to sustain the cover 52 in a substantially vertical position and at the same time prevent the hinge section 64 from abutment against the concrete surface of the rearwall 16 when the cover is opened.

The hinge sections 40 of the door hinge assemblies 38 and 62 of the cover hinge assemblies 58, as explained before, are integrally cast within the concrete, or other similar material, of the walls of the receptacle and thus provide a rigid attachment thereto and at the same time they are completely hidden and protected against atmospheric influences.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and attached drawings that the present invention provides an improved receptacle for a refuse can, or the like, which main body portion is precast from a concrete material having integrally embedded therein hinge sections for the hinged attachment of a side access door and a cover member, which are preferably molded from fiberglass. The outer hinge sections for the door are attached to the inside of the door and the outer hinge sections for the cover are attached underneath a rim portion of the cover, to thereby protect the hinges against corrosion.

The cover member is preferably provided with a circumferential flange depending downwardly therefrom and is preferably dished so as to cause water to run ofi the cover and over the circumferential flange without being able to enter the receptacle when the cover is closed.

It will also be seen that, in order to close the cover of the improved receptacle the side accessdoor has to be closed first.

Particular deta s of the embodiment shown herein, may be subject to variations without departing from the spirit and essential characteristic of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A receptacle adapted to hold trash and protect said trash against atmospheric and other adverse influences, and having means to gain access into said receptacle from the top and side thereof, said receptacle comprising a bottom wall portion, a back wall portion upstanding from said bottom wall portion, and left and right side wall portions upstanding from said bottom wall portion and projecting forward from said back wall portion, all of said wall portions comprising a one-piece casting of concrete having a horizontal U-shaped top edge with an open side at the front thereof, said means to gain access into said receptacle from the front thereof comprising a fiberglass door normally covering said open front side and having a top edge substantially flush with the U-shaped top edge of said one-piece casting, said door having metal hinges for moving said door between an open position and a closed position, said hinges having one portion attached to the door and another portion embedded in one of said side walls at the front edge thereof, and a pivot pin connecting said portions, said means to gain access into said receptacle from the top thereof comprising a fiberglass cover having metal hinge means for moving said cover between a lowered position covering said U-shaped top edge and a raised position, said hinge means having one plate portion attached to said cover and another plate portion embedded in said back wall at the top thereof, and a pivot pin connecting said portions, said fiberglass cover having an integral circumferential flange extending down from the periphery thereof including portions which overlap the top U- shaped edge of said casting and a front portion which overlaps the top edge of said door when closed so that said flange fully seats down only when said door is closed assuring a tight closing of said receptacle, with the rear portion of said flange hav ing a fiberglass stop extension projecting horizontally out at substantially a right angle away from said back wall and pivoting down when said cover is opened to said raised position to engage said back wall and retain said cover raised and to the rear of a vertical position, said one plate portion of said hinge means lying flat against the underside of said stop and attached thereto, said stop extension having a fiberglass lip means projecting at substantially a right angle therefrom beyond said hinge plate for engaging said back wall, and latch means on said door to maintain said door in a closed position.

2. In the receptacle as defined in claim 1, said door being provided with reinforcing means extending circumferentially around the inner surface of said door.

3. In the receptacle as defined in claim 2, said reinforcing means comprising a steel rod embedded in the material of said door.

4. In the receptacle as defined in claim 2, said reinforcing means comprising a ridge extending integrally from said surface of said door.

* & i I i 

1. A receptacle adapted to hold trash and protect said trash against atmospheric and other adverse influences, and having means to gain access into said receptacle from the top and side thereof, said receptacle comprising a bottom wall portion, a back wall portion upstanding from said bottom wall portion, and left and right side wall portions upstanding from said bottom wall portion and projecting forward from said back wall portion, all of said wall portions comprising a one-piece casting of concrete having a horizontal U-shaped top edge with an open side at the front thereof, said means to gain access into said receptacle from the front thereof comprising a fiberglass door normally covering said open front side and having a top edge substantially flush with the U-shaped top edge of said one-piece casting, said door having metal hinges for moving said door between an open position and a closed position, said hinges having one portion attached to the door and another portion embedded in one of said side walls at the front edge thereof, and a pivot pin connecting said portions, said means to gain access into said receptacle from the top thereof comprising a fiberglass cover having metal hinge means for moving said cover between a lowered position covering said U-shaped top edge and a raised position, said hinge means having one plate portion attached to said cover and another plate portion embedded in said back wall at the top thereof, and a pivot pin connecting said portions, said fiberglass cover having an integral circumferential flange extending down from the periphery thereof including portions which overlap the top Ushaped edge of said casting and a front portion which overlaps the top edge of said door when closed so that said flange fully seats down only when said door is closed assuring a tight closIng of said receptacle, with the rear portion of said flange having a fiberglass stop extension projecting horizontally out at substantially a right angle away from said back wall and pivoting down when said cover is opened to said raised position to engage said back wall and retain said cover raised and to the rear of a vertical position, said one plate portion of said hinge means lying flat against the underside of said stop and attached thereto, said stop extension having a fiberglass lip means projecting at substantially a right angle therefrom beyond said hinge plate for engaging said back wall, and latch means on said door to maintain said door in a closed position.
 2. In the receptacle as defined in claim 1, said door being provided with reinforcing means extending circumferentially around the inner surface of said door.
 3. In the receptacle as defined in claim 2, said reinforcing means comprising a steel rod embedded in the material of said door.
 4. In the receptacle as defined in claim 2, said reinforcing means comprising a ridge extending integrally from said surface of said door. 